48 [Proc. B.N.F.C., 



did the story possess his mind, that he could hear the murmur 

 of the bells creep up through its waters. The folk-tales lay 

 hidden under their literature, as this city was thought to lie 

 under the waters, and from them rose up a gentle and harmoni- 

 ous influence which filled all their poetry like a far-off murmur 

 of fairy bells. (Applause.) 



Wm. Gray, M.R.I.A., proposed a vote of thanks to Mr. 

 Yeats, whom he complimented upon the very interesting lecture 

 which he had delivered that evening. 



R. M. Young, M.R.I.A., seconded the motion, which was 

 supported by F. W. Lockwood, and passed by acclamation. 



Mr. Yeats briefly acknowledged the compliment. 



Clara M. Patterson said — Embryology teaches us that the 

 development of the individual is an abbreviated recapitulation 

 of the development of its species ; so it is also with a child. 

 He repeats, as he grows, the savage stage out of which civilised 

 man has emerged. If we compare children and savages — their 

 habits, arts, &c. — we shall find they have much in common. 

 Thus, for example, both the child and the savage are incapable 

 of continuous mental effort ; no matter how interested they may 

 be in what they are hearing, their attention is easily drawn 

 away. Again, both have a great preference for physical instead 

 of mental exertion. The school boy's treatment of girls 

 (especially his sisters) — making them slave for him and yet 

 looking down on them all the while — is an exact parallel of the 

 way savages treat their women. The drawings of children are 

 very like those of savages, and the idea of music which both 

 entertain is the same — e.g., as much noise as possible. The 

 toys that are valued most by all children are the simple ones, 

 such as the bow and arrow, which represent objects which are 

 used, or have been used, by their parents. Children's games 

 deserve special study, for in them are often found traces of 

 savage customs, so that what was once done by our ancestors in 

 earnest still exists in our children's games. There are marriage 

 games and death games. 



